NAMI presents classes on borderline personality disorder

Saturday

Aug 4, 2018 at 2:01 AM

"Family Connections" is a free 12-week course that meets weekly to provide education, skills training and support for people who are in a relationship with someone who has borderline personality disorder (BPD).

The course is hosted in a community setting and led by trained group leaders who are usually family members of relatives with BPD. Classes will take place from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Sept. 4 at the First Presbyterian Church at 33 Park Place in Goshen. A donation of $50 per person and $75 for a family or couple is suggested. If you are planning to attend, RSVP by Sept. 1 by calling 956-6264 or 294-2749.

Course content focuses on family perspectives and experiences, relationship and mindfulness skills, emotion regulation skills, effective communication skills, validation skills, problem management skills, individual coping skills based on dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), and group support that builds an ongoing network for family members.

BPD affects the whole family. BPD can include a pattern of intense and stormy relationships with family, friends, and loved ones. They may be on the roller coaster of extreme closeness and love (idealization) to extreme dislike or anger (devaluation). Changeable moods, high-risk behavior, suicidality and intense anger are often part of life for a person with BPD. The challenges of dealing with an ill relative on a daily basis can be very stressful, and family members may unknowingly act in ways that affect their relative negatively. After completing the course, family members experience decreased feelings of depression, burden, and grief, and more feelings of empowerment.

For more information, go to namiorangeny.org or email namiorangeny@warwick.net.

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